Sigma Alpha Iota

16 Fall 2022 • sai-national.org M ember Laureate Dr. Joyce Johnson was this year's Convention Honoree, and she gave a moving speech at Friday's Welcome Luncheon. Initiated into Zeta Phi Chapter at Spelman College in 1978, Dr. Johnson has continued her lifetime commitment to SAI by serving as the Zeta Phi Advisor and as an active member of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter. She was initiated as a Member Laureate in 2011. At the 2012 National Convention in Atlanta, Dr. Johnson was the featured artist, performing the Organ Concert at Atlanta First United Methodist Church. In 2014 Dr. Johnson was nominated by Sigma Alpha Iota and presented with the Professional Fraternity Association's Career Achievement Award. An Associate of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), she is Professor Emerita of Music at Spelman College, where she continues to serve as College Organist, having held the position since 1955. Dr. Johnson served in many capacities in the music department, teaching piano, organ, music theory, and African American music. She served the institution as Chair of the Music Department form 1989-1994 and 1995-2001. She is also an adjunct piano teacher at Morehouse College. A seasoned performer, Dr. Johnson plays piano and organ recitals, conducts master classes and workshops, plays with chamber music groups, and accompanies distinguished artists. In addition to appearing as a piano soloist with symphony orchestras under the direction of Robert Shaw, Louis Lane, and others, she has concertized in Bermuda, Haiti, the West Indies, and Brazil. Her untitled speech, centered around the convention theme "Music is Our Call," inspired and energized SAI sisters, collegiate and alumnae, to "continue the important and impactful work we have been doing on campuses and all over the country." She likened the work that we do as musicians, and so oen as volunteers, to the volunteerism described by the late President H.H. Bush as "a thousand points of light!" She also compared our five-day, festive National Convention to the major five-day Indian Festival of Diwali, which celebrates the importance of "light" to the world. "Both the convention and the festival provide innumerable enlightening, enriching, and fun activities (entertainment, displays, shopping, educational workshops, and a time for building and strengthening friendships)." Because of the multiple "hats" Dr.Johnson has worn, she was asked to share the attributes that kept her focused on her call in music for so many years. Speaking to all of her SAI Sisters and to herself (as she so indicated), she briefly talked about the things that have undergirded her call, and those which she deems important for all persons pursuing their calls. ose attributes were: 1) Passion - having a deep love for and commitment to music. 2) Competence - having ample, broad, ever-increasing knowledge. 3) People Skills - being loving, respectful, appreciative of people in spite of variances such as ethnicities, identities, competences, etc. 4) Family Support - receiving assistance from biological, extended, nuclear, or organizational families. 5) Purpose - having one that is clearly defined and in service to others. 6) Integrity and Accountability - having both, which together can create trust. 7) Collaboration - working harmoniously, collegially to help and support others. 8) Gratitude - remembering always those who have helped us along our journey. 9) Prayer - staying in a "mode of prayer" to our God, by whatever name we use. She closed her speech by celebrating "the excellent leadership of President Leslie Odom Miller, Executive Director Ruth Sieber Johnson, and others who admirably model these attributes as they honor their call, to the glory of Sigma Alpha Iota." 2022 Natial Cvention Our Convention Honoree SAI Member Laureate Joyce Johnson SAI Member Laureate Joyce Johnson

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